Skin graft instrument



1951 E. s. BARKER ET AL 2,579,029

SKIN GRAFT INSTRUMENT File d Oct. 12, 1948 2 SHEETS SHEET 1 3mm EHIPI. 45. Ewe/nee I Dan/040 5 EQ/EKEE l9 7' TOP/V6315 Dec. 18, 1951 E. s. BARKER ETAL 2,579,029

SKIN GRAFT INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 12, 1948 2 swans-4mm z Ell WWW,

EARL J 599K511 Dam/no 5. BIQ/PKER,

Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT ":OF F'ICE "SKIN' GRAFT INSTRUMENT Earl S.-Barker, -Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Donald E: Barker, Burbank, Calif.

Application October 12, 1948, serial No.'54;008

The "present inventionprovides an improved surgical instrument for cutting areas of skin for skin grafting operations.

f'For such purposes many contr'iva-nces have been "proposed and used. (lertain objeotions to the usually employedtypes of "devices are present universally therein amongwhich may be mentioned structural complexities, diific'ult in processing desired areas ofcontinuous portions ofskin to be transplantedflikelihood of cutting tissuebeyond" the desired area of the skin; and difficulties in operating "the mechanisms; and special blades that must be i'esharpened or replaced;-which, howeverycanbe done=orrlyat considerable-expense and trouble.

'In' providing an instrument for the indicated purpose whichobviates all of the above, and other difiiculties, the present invention provides a surgical instrument for severing or liftings'kin of a 'uniform"thickness"and of as" long a strip as needed, for use in skin grafting operations, the invention having for one of its obj ects the provisionsof a manually rec'iprocable instrument having improved guard means for preventing scoring or cutting of the skinbeyond the limits of "the area desiredto be cut.

"A further object of the invention-is to provide anflihstruirieht of theabove-indica'ted character which is "provided with an "improved bladeholder which enables blades to be replaced when'dulled, with new blades'instead of the conventional special blades that "must be resharpened, and can be" "replaced only at large expense and wherein thebla de holder ispreadjusted and locked prior toi'distribution so" that the user willfnot injure the sharpness "of theblade whenadjustingit tothe 'thickness'of 'the'cut' of skin'desired.

Aistill further object of the invention is to provide an improved blade holder in which the blade is fixedly mounted, yet'easily removable, the blade holder being so constructed and attached that the blade oscillates or reciprocates as a unit with thehold'er.

still further "object of the invention is to provide an instrument of the above 'indicated character" which can be sterilized readily.

-A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction of the'indicated character whereinthe width of the cut may be varied easily, within the limits of the size of the instrument.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the' description proceeds; and the features of novelty will be pointed out" in the appended claims.

The invention will be understoodmore readily by reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention in an illu'strative embodiment exemplifying the-construetion and operation of the improved instrumenter me invention. "in the 'drawings:

"Fig. l is a perspective view pf an illustrative embodiment of the invention in ope'rative="=pesition. I

'Fig. "2 is an end -'elevation -of the-instrument ofFig. lwith the cutter *in inoperative position.

Fig. 3*is a' fronteleva'tion-"of the instrument, partly in section taken bn the' Iine S -tof -Fig. 4*lookin'g in the direction of the arro ws.

Fig." 4 is a bottom'view ot theinstrument}- the view indicating diagrammatically the adjustabiiity ofeifectiveciliiting Width of the instrument.

Fig-:5 is a plan viewof a resilientialug member for use in connection with theinstrument 'for varying theei'ittingwidtli thereof.

Fig 6 is an end elevation of theplug member of'Fig. 5.

Referring more'particularly to the drawings, the illustrated exemplary construction of the present invention comprises "a suction "box A havingbottom guardm'eans "B, anda blade holder assembly 0 including'abladeholder'D.

' The suction of vacuum *boxA "is provided with an upstanding tubular rojection connected by a" suitable fiexibletiibe' or' the like 2 towa' source of suction; not" shown. The suction box has anathema-m1 for's'lidingioverthe areatobe cut; the tubular projection l communicating with the interior of the "suctionboxand provides a means fordrai'ving the-"skin to' becut against a 'predeterminedportion"of the" bottom 'ofthe suction box.

discontinuous adjacent toftherear side,aiid-'is skin, alsothis" slotted "portionfl or the' b'ottoin of the box is concavelycurved above theplanef of thebottom of *thefsuction boxf'th'ereby assuring close and uniform" aidher'enceof the skinto the s'lottedi portion, which "forms a guard forsup-' The other end of the shaft 9 is formed into a substantially U-bend l terminating in a collar H. Mounted on the blade holder D is a boss 12 at one end, and a similar boss l3 adjacent to the other end of the blade holder. These bosses l2 and [3 receive and are secured to the posts l4 and i5 which pass through the bar 9 and the sleeves l6 and I! thereon, these sleeves being spaced from the brackets l and 8 and'define stops for limiting the longitudinal movement of the bar 9 in the brackets, and hence control the amount of reciprocatory movement of the blade holder D for which the bend It serves as an actuating handle and through which collar ll thereof extends post l4.

Thumb actuated set screws I8 and I9 on the upper edges of the threaded posts l4 and I5 adjust the cutting depth of the cutting blade 5,"

the bottom 3 adapted to depress the skin and remove any upsurge areas free from the action of the blade beyond the reciprocal stroke of the blade-holder during the cutting operation.

The blade holder D is formed with top and bottom sections 3| and 32, which are recessed complementally as indicated at 33 for receiving the thickened edge 34 of the cutting blade 5, said sections 3i and 32 being detachably secured together by a screw 35.

In operation, the suction tube l is connected by tube 2 to a suitable suction source, not shown, and when the suction box A is applied to an area from which skin is to be cut, an air-tight assembly is formed, with the skin to be out, drawn by suction against the slots, either to the full length of these slots or to the portion thereof not closed by the plug member or members F these set screws being threadedly mounted on.

the posts l4 and I5 and, through their operation adjust the blade 5 for predeterminedly varying the depth of cut imparted by the blade. Also, the angle of inclination of and the distance which the blade 5 passes beneath the slots 4 is adjustable by the provision of a stop E having an arm and a loop portion 2| which passes around the bar 9 and is locked thereto by means of a set screw 22, the loop portion being vertically off-set from the arm 28, the position of this loop portion on the bar 9 determining the angle which the arm 20 will engage the side of the suction box A, this position being varied by loosening the set screw 22 so that the loop portion can turn on the bar 9, thereby determining the position of the blade 5 relative to the slots 4.

The bar 9 being rotatable in the bearing brackets I and B, as well as being reciprocably slidable therein, when it is desired so to do, the blade holder D and its mountings and associated parts of its assembly may be lifted about the bar 9 to inoperative position above the suction box A until the assembly rests on the horizontal portion of the tubular vacuum pipe I, as shown in Fig. 2.

Mounted between the sleeve [6 and collar H on the post 14 is a compression spring 23, a similar spring 24 being compressed between the sleeve l1 and collar 25 on the post [5, these springs acting on the blade holder D to apply a constant, downwardly directed force thereon when the set screws 18 and I9 are loosened.

In order to adjust the width of the skin desired to be cut, resilient plug or stop members F constructed of rubber, or the like, may be provided, each of which comprises a flat base portion 26 of a predetermined length, these being provided with parallel upstanding bars 27 formed,

with flanged portions 28 which are adapted to be received in the slots 4 in the bottom of the suction box A, and adapted to be held in place by the top flanges 28 which sealingly expand beyond the slot edges, shutting off the suction through the slots, and maintaining said plug against displacement, preventing the skin, corresponding to the area of the plug, from being brought into contact with blade 5, thereby enabling predetermined variations in the area of the skin being cut.

, The pressure of the device causes an upsurge or bulging of the skin along the edges of the box and in order to prevent cutting through these thickened portions and beyond the desired area, said suction box A is provided with the laterally extending guard portions 29 and 30 of the guard means B, which form continuations of (Fig. 4), in accordance with the width of cut desired. A plug F is adapted to be applied to either or both ends of portions 4 according to the width of skin out desired. The cutting blade 5 and the associated parts of the cutting assembly (designated. generally by C on the drawings), are rotated on the bar 9 from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 to the cutting position shown in Fig. 1, and by reason of the arcuate travel of the blade into cutting position and angle of the blade it cleanly cuts as it engages the skin. The blade 5 being in proper pre-set adjustment both relative to the suction box A and to the desired depth of cut, the skin drawn up by the suction against the slotted portion 4 is cut by the operator actuating the handle [0 and reciprocating the bar 9, blade holder D and blade 5 secured therein by back and forth strokes as the device is moved forward, the bar 9 sliding in the bearing brackets I and 8, and the length of the strokes being governed by the engagement of the sleeves I6 and H with said bearing ears or brackets I and 8.

The arm 20 of the stop gauge member E carries a smooth surface wear plate 33 which travels along the side of the suction box with each stroke of the bar 9 and cutting blade 5, and the springs 23 and 24 exert a constant, uniform downward pressure on the blade holder D, while permitting a resilient yielding of the blade and blade holder in the event of irregularities in the cutting area.

being encountered.

The oppositely positioned lateral guard sec-:

tions 29 and 30 extending beyond the length of the stroke of the cutting blade, prevents any bunching up of skin and. tissue cominginto con-' tact with the blade beyond the area being cut,

thereby preventing accidental damage to skin.

fine, amicrotome-like action is effected so that any desired thickness of skin can be cut.

From the above it will be apparent that'we have designed a skin graft instrument adjustable to effect different cutting areas, and means for preventing cutting of the skin or tissue beyond a predetermined area embodying few parts;

readily assembled and disassembled, adapted to for the purposes intended.

.It will .be apparent tfrom the, .foregoingidescription that while the embodiment of the invention herein described and ':claimed represents ita preferredform or embodiment-thereof, theinmention is not limited to the particular details of construction herein-illustratedand described, but that various modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention; and-accordingly it willfibe understood and desired to embrace within-thescope of the appended claims suchmodifications and changes as may be necessaryto-adapt it to vary-.- ingconditions and uses.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired protected by Letters Patent isas set forth in the following claims:

1. .Anapparatus for cutting skin for skin grafting operations, which comprises -a-suction box for engaging a predetermined-area fromwhich skin is to be removed, "means inthebottom of the box for applying localized suction to the area-for drawing the skinto becutclosely'against the bottom of the box, holding means for a cutting blade mounted on the box, a cutting blade removably mounted in the blade-holding means,

cutzzupwardly against the slotted portion, acut ting-blade. mounted on the box and extending thereunder adjacent to said slotted portion, mounting means for the cutting bladecarried by the box including an operating handleyand permitting reciprocation of the blade relative to the 'box for cutting the skin lifted and held against said slotted portion and permitting turnable tlifting of the blade to an inoperativelposition:- above the box, and instrumentalities on the mounting means for the blade for adjustably controlling the depth of cut of the blade.

5. A device for cutting a skin graft comprising a suction box for engaging a predetermined areafrom which skin is to be removed, said box having bottom means for applying localized suction to the predetermined area, a cutting blade assembly mounted on the box and including a cutting blade mounted adjacent to the bottom said cutting blade being positioned adjacent to the suction-applying means in the bottom of the suction box, saidcutting blade adapted to be reciprocated relative to said box against the skin drawn up by the suction means for cutting the skin as the instrument is moved over the area to be cut, the cutting range'of said blade being greater than the width of the box, and skindepressing guard means on said box extending-laterally therefrom in the direction of the reciprocation of the blade for preventing cutting of skin beyond the width of said box.

2. An apparatus for cutting skin for skin grafting operations, which comprises a suction box for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, means in the bottom of the box for applying localized suction to the area for drawing the skin to be out upwardly against the localized area of the box, a cutting blade removably mounted in position adjacent to the suctionapplying means, mounting instrumentalities for the blade carried by the box and permitting reciprocation of the blade with respect to the skin to be cut, said blade having a cutting range greater than the width of the box, and laterally extending skin depressing guard means carried by the box and projecting beyond the limits of reciprocation of the cutting blade for preventing cutting of tissue beyond the desired predetermined area. i

3. An apparatus for cutting skin for skin graft operations, which comprises a suction box for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, the box having a bottom portion provided with a plurality of parallel slots for applying localized suction to the said area for drawing the skin to be cut upwardly against the surface thereof, a cutting blade reciprocably mounted on the box and adjacent to the slotted portion of the bottom, and removable plug means adapted to fit into predetermined slots of the slotted portion for cutting off suction through a portion of the slotted area for varying the area of skin to be cut.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a suction box for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, the box having a bottom portion provided with a plurality of slots for applying localized suction to the said area for drawing the skin to be suction-applying means, said cutting blade as sembly also including mounting means for the cutting blade enabling reciprocation of the blade relative to the box, and means for limiting down- Ward swinging movement of the blade, Whileperm'i tting the blade to be turned upwardly from operative cutting position below the boxto aninoperative position above the box.

fiau m apparatus for cutting'a skin graft comprising a suction box for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed. thesaid box having bottom means for applying localized suction to a predetermined area, a cutting blade assembly mounted on the box including a cutting blade mounted adjacent-to the bottom suction-applying means and adapted to extend thereunder, said cutting blade assembly also including means for enabling reciprocation of the blade relative to and beyond the width of the box, means for preventing cutting of the skin beyond the area of said box, means for adjusting the depth of cut of the blade relative to the suction applying means, and adjustable stop means for redeterminedly varying the projecting distance of the blade beneath said suction-applying means.

7. An apparatus for cutting skin for skin graft operations, which comprises a suction body for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, said body having bottom means for applying localized suction to the predetermined area, spaced mounting brackets extending rearwardly from the body, a holder for a cutting blade including holding mean for the blade, the cutting blade being removably mounted in the holding means, a reciprocatory bar mounted in the mounting brackets and connected to the blade-holding means through a handle portion of the bar, for effecting reciprocation of the cutting means relative to the body, While permitting turnable lifting of the blade from operative cutting position adjacent to the bottom suctionapplying means to inoperative position above the body, means for adjusting the blade for varying the depth of cut of the blade, means on the reciprocatory bar for engaging the mounting brackets for limiting the length of reciprocation of the bar and the cutting blade, and adjustable stop means secured to the bar for varying the position of angularity and extent of projection of the cutting blade beneath the suction area.

8. An apparatus for cutting a skin graft, comprising a suction body portion for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, said body having bottom means for supplying localized suction to the predetermined area,

spaced mounting" brackets extending rearwardly from the body, cutting blade mounting instrumentalities mounted in the brackets and comprising a blade-holder positioned relatively to the body for holding the blade adjacent to the bottom suction-applying means, a bar reciprocably mounted in the mounting brackets for longitudinal reciprocatory movement and also for vertical turning movement, a handle portion for the bar connected to the blade holder, stop gauge means on the bar cooperating with the mounting brackets for limiting the reciprocatory movement of the bar and blade holder, threaded posts connecting the stop means on the bar with the blade holder, means on the posts for adjusting the depth of cut of the cutting blade, and compression spring means mounted on the posts for continuously uniformly maintaining the blade holder and blade in adjusted cutting position, and urging the blade downward upon actuation of said adjusting means in blade-lowering direction.

9. An apparatus for cutting skin for skin graft operations, which comprises a suction box for engaging a predetermined area from which skin is to be removed, said box having a bottom slotted portion provided with parallel slots for supplying localized suction to the predetermined area, the slotted bottom portion being concaved to permit the skin to be lifted into engagement therewith, spaced mounting brackets extending rearwardly from the box adjacent to the top thereof, cutting blade mounting instrumentalities mounted in the brackets and comprising an elongated blade holder, a cutting blade removably mounted in the holder, the said holder being positioned relative to the bottom of the box for positioning the cutting blade adjacent to the said slotted portion,

a bar reciprocably mounted in the mounting brackets for longitudinal reciprocatory movement and also for vertical turning movement, a handle portion for the bar connected to the blade holder, stop means on the bar cooperating with the mounting brackets for limiting reciprocatory movements of the bar and blade holder, fixedly mounted threaded posts connecting the stop means and the blade holder, means on the posts for adjusting the cutting depths of the cutting blade, compression spring means mounted on the posts for continuously and uniformly maintaining the blade-holder andblade in adjusted cut-v ting position, skin depressing guard members extending laterally from the box beyond the re! ciprocatory range of the cutting blade for preventing cutting of tissue beyond the predetermined area, and an adjustable stop on the said bar engaging the box for adjusting the position of the cutting blade relative to the slotted bottom portion of the box.

EARL S. BARKER. DONALD E. BARKER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number Blair Nov. 19, 1929 

